Or Barack? Or perhaps even Rudy Giuliani? If, during  one of the many campaign stops in the next few months, they were shot and blown up as Pakistani Prime Minister candidate Benazir Bhutto was a week ago , would you shed a tear? Care even the slightest? Or would you take a moment, nod at the television, murmur, “damn” then flip channels and think about who should replace Hov at Def Jam or which Hollywood actress was pulled over with a DUI this week?  My guess is on the latter.

In what I sense is more indicative of a true lack of real engaging leadership than our own increasing vapidity (although it’s certainly debatable), it appears that we have lost all interest in not just the political process, but the candidates as well.  I don’t know enough about Ms Bhutto’s politics and activism to be able to hypothesize on what made her followers so incensed and passionate following her assassination that they rioted in a demand for retribution.  Were the Pakistani citizens more disenfranchised than Americans?  More poverty stricken? Or were they just less resigned to accept the status quo than we are?  There are many who claim she wasn’t a patriot so much as another American shill. Regardless- she represented something that inspired great passion in her fellow countrymen. Enough to make them fight. Enough to make them cry. Enough to make them kill.   

Despite the worsening economy and housing market wrecking havoc  all across the US,  healthcare woes, Global Warming and whatever new crisis that makes the news every other week,  for the most part , the average US citizens, specifically our generation,  remains vaguely  aware of looming issues but reluctant to take a hard stance on anything of real importance. Just in case you weren’t clear:  the next president of Def Jam is really unimportant unless you actually, currently work there. 

Given that the upcoming election offers the most diverse grouping of candidates in, well, ever (a Mormon! A Black Dude! A chick!) It’s surprising that for the most part we just don’t really care.  Last election, I freaking marched and handed out voter information pamphlets.  Now… eh.   I, and I’m assuming most of you, care about what happens, but don’t really believe any candidate or politician will ever be effective in making change.  They have failed to connect on a very basic level with us; they are failing to lead, much less inspiring trust in their leadership.

It is for that precise reason, however, that we need to cry and riot. Not over Hillary or George or Barrack or Mitt, but for our future. For our need for a true leader who brings – no demands- hope, change and growth.  It appears that Ms Bhutto represented at least a portion of that too many in Pakistan. She managed to make her people care because she made them believe she was truly one of them, really for them.   Don’t we deserve to be led and represented by someone we’d cry over?  

Since our politicians refuse to be these change agents, it’s about time we take it upon ourselves to make changes worth crying over.  It’s our future. Not theirs.